B
The re-calibrating of the nail holes after fitting of the shoe. Modifications made to the shoe’s shape during fitting can lead to compression or distortion of the nail holes therefore the nail holes must be opened out after fitting the shoe. It can be performed from the ground or from the foot side of the shoe, although the former is recommended to avoid making the upper nail openings too large .
Dorso-palmar (-plantar) balance of a hoof is evaluated from the side. Stance, limb conformation and hoofconformation must all be considered when evaluating balance. For a hoof (and limb) to be balanced, the axes of the limb must be straight and the the hoof pastern axis (HPA) should be in alignment. The length of the dorsal hoof wall should be in proportion to the length of the pastern and the length and slope of the heels should be in proportion with that of the toe.
The balance of a limb when it is in motion, this includes the arc of flight (from the front, the side and the back), the symmetry of the landing and lift-off phase and the movement of the hoof or limb during the stance phase (e.g. rotation, tipping). A lack of dynamic balance can lead to interference and overloading of certain parts of the limb. Deviations in dynamic balance may be congential (faults in stance and limb conformation) or due to imbalanced or neglected hooves.
Medio-lateral balance refers to the symmetry and alignment of the axes of the limb and the hoof as seen from the front or the back. A mediolaterally balanced limb and hoof is aligned on a central axis that is perpendicular to the bearing surface of the hoof, the hoof is symmetrical in size and shape and is evenly divided by the axis of the limb. Deviations of stance or limb conformation (e.g. a rotational or axial deviation in the region of the fetlock) can influence the mediolateral balance.
Balance refers to the conformation of limb and hoof which allows the stress acting on the limb to be optimally distributed by the hoof.
An evaluation of static balance (both dorso-palmar/plantar and medio-lateral) performed on the standing horse or by holding the distallimb and hoof to check the alignment of limb and hoof axis.
A long narrow band of woven material that is wrapped around a limb to provide protection and support. Bandages can be applied to horse's limbs for a variety of reasons and consequently are made from a variety of different materials. Bandages with an elastic component must never be used without padding material to prevent the constriction of the skin and underlying tissue, which can lead to severe pressure sores.
In day to day use, bandages are applied to protect the limbs during exercise, and to prevent swelling of limbs during periods of rest (stable bandages) and as protection during transport (travel bandages).
Long narrow pieces of fabric that are wrapped around (part of) the horse's leg to keep an injury clean, to protect the limb from injury due to interference or to prevent swelling. They can be used for exercise, travel or in the stable. Non-elastic bandages (e.g. those made from fleece-like material) are typically used without padding for exercise only. Elastic bandages must be used with padding as they could otherwise cause disruptions of the blood supply to the skin. Woven bandages (wool or synthetic) combined with thick pads are typically called stable bandages. They are applied from below the fore knee / hock down to the pastern and help prevent filled legs in stabled horses. Bandages with pads extending down over the coronet an up over the fore knee / hock are used for travelling.
The part of the hoof wall that is turned forwards at the heels, towards the apex of the frog. It has the same structure as the toe, quarter and heel region of the hoof wall. The bars form the abaxial edge of the medial and lateral sulci of the frog, and usually extend about two thirds of the length of the frog before tapering into the sole.